Is Jessica Hynes Returning as Frankie Monroe?

Patience Season 2 delivered a major change with the departure of Laura Fraser as Detective Inspector Bea Metcalf. That change was announced far in advance of the second season’s debut, so the new D.I. in town, Frankie Monroe (Jessica Hynes), didn’t come as a shock to viewers. She was, however, a complete surprise to protagonist Patience Evans (Ella Maisy Purvis). Monroe’s immediate lack of patience for Patience only made matters worse, but their relationship evolved over the course of Season 2.

Is Hynes returning in Patience Season 3, or is the series going to have a new D.I. each season? Here’s what we know.

Is Jessica Hynes returning as Frankie Monroe in Patience Season 3?

PBS

Yes, Hynes will be back in the third season, which filmed in the United Kingdom from March to June of 2026.

The Patience Season 3 description is already available, and it’s all about Patience and Frankie.

It says: “Autistic criminal records archivist Patience continues her work with the City of York Police, bringing her unique insight to a series of perplexing cases. After initial clashes with motorbike-riding DI Frankie Monroe, Patience and Frankie are now close colleagues and even friends. As well as taking a new step in her romantic life in Season 3, family bonds bring a new horizon for Patience, as she navigates building a relationship with her estranged half-sister Joy while also investigating her father’s death. Was the car crash that killed him really an accident, or is there more to the case than meets the eye?”

Season 3 cast also includes returning stars Nathan Welsh as DS Jake Hunter, Liza Sadovy as Dr. Loretta Parsons, Ali Ariaie as DC Will Akbari, Mark Benton as Calvin Baxter, Adrian Rawlins as Douglas Gilmore, Tom Lewis as Elliot Scott, and Hannah Tointon as Joy.

Why did Laura Fraser leave Patience?

While Fraser and the series haven’t explicitly stated the reason for her departure, it is believed to have been due to scheduling conflicts between the second season and Fraser’s new show, Mint.

When does Patience Season 3 premiere?

Season 3 is expected to come out in January 2027 on Channel 4 in the U.K., but that will be confirmed at a later time. A release date on PBS will be planned for later that year.

Matt Baker was the lead writer on the first season, but Season 2’s writers were Amy Shindler, Beth Chalmers, Rachel Smith, and Jacqui Honess-Martin. All of the writers have personal experience with autism in some shape or form. The Season 2 team is returning for Season 3.

Season 3 is also going to be longer with 10 episodes total. Season 1 had six, and Season 2 had eight.